Nike Air Zoom Odyssey 2 Review

The Good

Excellent support for moderate to severe overpronators

Good choice for heel strikers

Comfortable upper

The Bad

Lacks durability

Less responsive compared to others

Very little forefoot cushioning

THE VERDICT

Compared to other support and stability shoes tested the Nike Air Zoom Odyssey 2 scored the lowest. While the upper was very comfortable, it offered little support which lead to an unsecure feeling during test runs. Nike’s triple-density midsole couldn’t compete with the comfort and responsiveness of others such as Adidas’ boost or Asics Gel midsoles.

FULL REVIEW

The Nike Air Zoom Odyssey 2 is targeted for runners with moderate to severe overpronation with a triple-density midsole along with Dynamic Support Platform for adaptive cushioning without sacrificing motion control. At a 12mm heel drop the Odyssey 2 is a great option for those who tend to heel strike.

ComfortNike does a great job of making super comfortable uppers and the Odyssey 2 is no exception. The upper is soft and form fitting while the heel counter was highly padded. The Odyssey seemed to lack the same quality of cushioning found in others tested, especially under the forefoot.

FitFavoring those with slim feet, the Odyssey 2 was one of snugger fitting shoes tested, offering very little room in the toebox. The Flymesh upper had no structural support, which created a more sock-like feel, but lacked the ability to stabilize the foot.

ResponsivenessThe Odyssey 2 had somewhat of a dead feeling. The triple-midsole offered very little return with each step. A large wedge of firm foam protected from harsh heel strikes but reduced the ability get a smooth transition.

SpeedAs one would expect from a shoe focused on support, the Odyssey 2 was not fast at all. It was very hard to get a smooth transition to really get up on your toes. The steep heel drop (12mm) did a great job of putting a wedge of foam between your heel and the ground. For heel strikers this is a blessing, but a disaster for trying to run fast.

Ride QualityThere was nothing special about the Odyssey 2’s ride. Each footstrike felt flat and seemed to slap the ground as compared to the Adidas Sequence 9 or Asics Gel-Kayano 23. The triple-density foam absorbed very little impact and offered virtually nothing in the way of return.